fumbled; fumbling
ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
b
: to make awkward attempts to do or find something
fumbled in his pocket for a coin
c
: to search by trial and error
d
: blunder
2
: to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3
a
: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
b
: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
1
: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2
a
: to feel or handle clumsily
b
: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3
: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4
a
: misplay
fumble a grounder
b
: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running
Examples of fumble in a Sentence
Verb
She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
Noun
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Recent Examples on the Web
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Ewers was sacked twice and fumbled the ball both times, losing possession.
—Omar Kelly
august 11, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Omar Kelly
august 22, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Gabriel, on the other hand, threw an interception and lost a fumble.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Then the rookie fumbled late in the first quarter and absorbed a huge hit that prompted the concussion spotter to pull him off the field for an evaluation.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
Ewers was sacked twice and fumbled the ball both times, losing possession.
—Omar Kelly
august 11, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
The Dolphins clearly lucked out because there were long stretches of training camp where Gay, an undersized hybrid linebacker who is an emotional spark plug, made a flashy play (interception, sack, forced fumble, tackle for loss) every day.
—Omar Kelly
august 22, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Gabriel, on the other hand, threw an interception and lost a fumble.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fumble
Cite this Entry
“Fumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fumble. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share